Citrus Australia has joined a growing coalition of farm groups urging the Albanese Government to restart full processing of Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visas, claiming the current slowdown risks leaving much of the industry’s million-tonne crop unpicked. In a media release on 14 September, chief executive Nathan Hancock said WHM backpackers traditionally account for 44 per cent of the harvest workforce and that delays are already forcing growers to scale back hiring. The warning follows an open letter signed by the National Farmers’ Federation, Tourism & Transport Forum and Accommodation Australia demanding an immediate resumption of WHM grants. The groups argue that the bureaucratic “go-slow” undermines food security, export reliability and regional tourism economies that rely on backpackers’ spending. Citrus exporters fear unharvested fruit could jeopardise contracts in key Asian markets where Australia has invested heavily in brand promotion. A shortfall of pickers during peak weeks in October and November would also reduce throughput at regional packing sheds, leading to job losses beyond the farm gate. Growers say alternative labour streams, such as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, cannot be mobilised quickly enough and that a dedicated Agriculture or Harvest Visa is needed. They want Canberra to consult directly with industry before making any further changes to temporary-migration caps. Immigration officials maintain that visa issuance is being “phased” to ensure long-term program sustainability. But with trees already in blossom, industry leaders warn that unless approvals accelerate within days, orchard managers will have no choice but to leave fruit on trees – a waste that could cost the sector more than AU$200 million.
Source: Citrus Australia
